If the problem is always someone or something else, there will always be a problem

Entitlement is a close cousin to victimhood. To be a victim is to be at effect of something, which we all are, everyday, in every moment, and to then make a choice that we are powerless in the wake of the effect.

We always have a choice, even if our choices are limited to the one final choice of how we show up in this moment, which is our ultimate expression of sovereignty.

Those people who demonstrated this ultimate choice, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Viktor Frankl, and many lesser-known individuals like Hurricane Carter, are our guides. They knew the power of this ultimate choice. “No one else gets to define me and my capacity to respond, no matter what the circumstance. “

The voice of complaint, of righteous indignation, of blame, of helplessness disqualifies the one unassailable power every human is given in every moment. How do we respond to this circumstance? To recognise that this is always our choice.

When we are surrounded by people in leadership and celebrity positions who are grandmasters at blaming, deflection, and being a victim, it is hard for anyone to stand up and choose a path of responsibility. A path that says I can be the change. I can and will lead change. I will show up towards the change I want to see, and act in that direction.

I know in my own life that the gradual fall into a victim/helpless/blame-based mindset is easy for even the strongest. I spent many years there, my brand of victimhood so subtle I nearly missed it. To be vigilant against the ease of living in blame and justification, in righteous indignation and poor-me, is a full-time job. To surround myself with those who will not allow me to sink into the pit of this type of helplessness is an act of self-love. To point out to our loved ones that this is the territory in which they are inhabiting is to be fierce in our love for them, against the possibility of their violent rejection.

There is much work to be done to ensure a world with a future for Earth and all her creatures. Let us be sure we do so from the place of knowing we have sovereign choice in how we respond to every trial and injustice.

Dignity, respect, kindness, authorship, love, clarity, integrity….let these speak from our souls. This is the path of change. 

Photo taken January 2nd 2020